Online Travel Agency

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of online travel agencies, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on the brands and their strategies, executives and positions in the market.

MagicStay raises €3M to expand business travel accommodation rental service
News / Online
MagicStay raises €3M to expand business travel accommodation rental service
By Kevin May | June 19, 2019
The capital from representatives at Simmons & Simmons and Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking brings the total put into the vacation rental booking platform for corporate travelers... Read More
In The Big Chair LIVE - Mat Orrego of Cornerstone
Interview / Technology
In The Big Chair LIVE - Mat Orrego of Cornerstone
By Kevin May | June 18, 2019
Alongside running CIS since 1992, Orrego is an active supporter of the travel startup world through his work with RunUp Labs and as a regular and vocal judge at pitch competitions. Read More
RateGain acquires social and guest engagement platform BCV
News / Technology
RateGain acquires social and guest engagement platform BCV
By Kevin May | June 17, 2019
A mid-range, double-digit millions figure is believed to have been paid for 24/7 social media monitoring, reputation management, analytics and content marketing business. Read More
Mary Meeker's annual report: Growing giants, next-gen data and super apps
News / Online
Mary Meeker's annual report: Growing giants, next-gen data and super apps
By Linda Fox | June 17, 2019
Many in the digital and wider industrial world await Mary Meeker’s annual trends report with anticipation for what can be expected for their sector. We look at the travel-related elements. Read More
sounding off 20 airbnb as ota
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Another major OTA arriving is the least of the hospitality sector's worries
By PhocusWire | June 14, 2019
Understanding and meeting the changing customer is going to become the single most important investment that hotels and chains make in the years ahead, after asset improvements and other infrastructure... Read More
booking-reviews-influence
News / Online
Booking.com talks up importance of reviews in travel decisions, especially for rentals
By Linda Fox | June 14, 2019
The OTA's survey of 21,500 travelers globally reveals that 53% of travelers have decided not to book accommodation because of negative reviews about a host. Read More
gen-z-loyalty-travel-beach
Opinion / Online
The A-to-Gen Z of travel loyalty
By Craig Brennan - SwitchFly | June 14, 2019
The next generation of consumers don’t want one-size-fits-all rewards. They want to be recognized as individuals and they want rewards that are relevant to their needs and to their travel journey. Read More
Airbnb gets into multiday tours game with launch of Airbnb Adventures
News / Online
Airbnb gets into multiday tours game with launch of Airbnb Adventures
By Jill Menze | June 13, 2019
The adventures, numbering more than 200 at the outset, are available either exclusively to Airbnb or provided by small local operators. Read More
online-travel-booking-yieldify
News / Online
Frustration with online travel booking continues as consumers consult more sites
By Linda Fox | June 13, 2019
The web was supposed to make booking travel easier, faster and more accessible - but the reality is somewhat different, according to research. Read More
Worldpay Helldorff payment challenges trends
News / Technology
Q&A: Worldpay's Thomas Helldorff on challenges, trends and predictions for travel payments
By Mitra Sorrells | June 13, 2019
Worldpay's vice president of vertical strategy for travel and airlines shares his thoughts on the role of mobile and alternative payments, how payment systems can drive conversions and much... Read More
travel-payments-bitcoin
News / Online
Bitcoin continues to be on a slow burn as payment option in travel
By Linda Fox | June 12, 2019
Can Bitcoin gain real traction in travel payments as it's explored by new segments? Read More
ekberg-stephan-travelstart-2
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair LIVE - Stephan Ekbergh of Travelstart
By Kevin May | June 12, 2019
The group's CEO is a DJ-turned-entrepreneur having founded brands such as MrJet in Sweden and, more recently alongside overseeing Travelstart, investing in other startups. Read More
phocuswright-europe-2019-ndc
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Teenage years still to come for NDC, patience required
By Linda Fox | June 11, 2019
New Distribution Capability (NDC) has broadly been accepted as a positive step in bringing value, and eventually greater efficiency, to the airline distribution chain. But, it’s not an overnight... Read More
Booking Holdings funds part of $180M round into South Korean hotel site Yanolja
News / Online
Booking Holdings funds part of $180M round into South Korean hotel site Yanolja
By Kevin May | June 11, 2019
The South Korea-based hotel booking website has now secured a total of $242 million in funding after landing the latest Series D round. Read More
What happens to rate parity when Airbnb is an online travel agency?
Opinion / Online
What happens to rate parity when Airbnb is an online travel agency?
By Gino Engels - OTA Insight | June 11, 2019
As lines blur between platform and provider, there are some real questions around rate parity and price competitiveness in this brave new world. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026